Por Pablo Arranz 
Forty percent of manuscripts are historical memory novels, 30% are black or detective novels, and the rest are feminist, psychological, or science fiction.
Ten works are finalists for the 2025 Azorín Novel Prize, four with specified authorship and six with pseudonyms. A total of 643 manuscripts have been submitted to the contest, coming from both Spain and abroad, setting a «historical record» compared to the 134 from the previous year, as for the first time, the reception of digital originals has been allowed.
The award, endowed with 45,000 euros, is in its 32nd edition and is sponsored by the Alicante Provincial Council and Grupo Planeta. It will be presented on Thursday, March 13th, in a gala at the Auditorium of the Alicante Provincial Council (ADDA) starting at 7 p.m., under the theme ‘When the unexpected becomes indelible’.
The President of the Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, the Director of Institutional Relations of Grupo Planeta, Carlos Creuheras, and the Culture Deputy, Juan de Dios Navarro, have revealed the titles and authors of the ten finalist works this Monday.
Specifically, these titles are ‘Las entrañas del lobo’ by José Payá Beltrán and Mario Martínez Gomis; ‘Cicatrices de oro’ by Kintsugi (pseudonym); ‘Los leones escribes’ by Felipe Cambón; ‘La pieza que falta’ by Inés Alegría (pseudonym); ‘Donde mueren los gigantes’ by David Casals-Roma; ‘Olvidado en el desván’ by Atlántida Helmanticae (pseudonym); ‘Volveré a Villa Esperanza’ by Arcadio (pseudonym); ‘Hermana Santa’ by S. N. Williams (pseudonym); ‘La lengua de los impostores’ by Javier Núñez; and ‘La mujer que salió del mar’ by Pepita P. (pseudonym).
40% OF ORIGINALS ABOUT HISTORICAL MEMORY
Regarding the total manuscripts (643), Navarro specified that 40% address historical memory themes, 30% correspond to black or detective novels, and the remaining 30% are feminist, psychological, science fiction, and dystopian.
Additionally, at least 391 works by men and 150 by women have competed, while the gender of the authorship has not been specified in the rest.
Similarly, the texts’ origin is led by Spain with 121 copies. This is followed by South America (80), North America (38), Europe (13), and Central America (6), while a total of 385 works do not specify their origin.
Of all these, ten literary works have emerged as finalists, and the jury will meet for the final time on Thursday to decide who will win the 2025 Azorín Prize. The award will be revealed at a gala expected to be attended by writers and journalists from the national and international scene, as well as representatives of Alicante society.
During the presentation, Pérez highlighted the «alliance» between the Provincial Council and Planeta for promoting the Azorín Prize, in an edition where all participation records have been broken.
He also emphasized the «quality» of the texts and the diversity of origins, as well as the «extraordinary jury» this year, while encouraging attendance at the gala, which is the «first part of the great dissemination» of this literary recognition.
«LONG AND FRUITFUL COLLABORATION»
On the other hand, Creuheras referred to the «long and fruitful collaboration» of both entities, as well as the «special affection» he has for this award for «personal reasons,» as the relationship with the Provincial Council is «as old» as his work at Planeta.
He also highlighted the ability to receive digital originals this year as an example of «sustainability» and «pragmatism.» He clarified that the publisher’s publications are made with chlorine-free and recycled paper, but the originals presented in physical form «do not necessarily have these conditions.»
Furthermore, he emphasized the «many joys» that the contest generates annually in a «very favorable» environment for books, characterized by an increase in average reading rates in Spain that are on par with those of other European countries «contrary to the stereotype of a country that does not read,» with levels that have been maintained and increased since the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gala, hosted by journalist Berta Collado, will feature a wind quintet from ADDA Simfònica performing ‘La vida breve’ by Manuel de Falla and ‘El baile de Luis Alonso’ by Gerónimo Giménez. Additionally, actor Ramón Barea will offer a theatrical representation of a dramatic text.
The event can also be followed live on the YouTube accounts of Editorial Planeta, Planetadelibros, and the Alicante Provincial Council, as well as on the X social network, through the hashtag #azorin2025.